Heartache for Hanover Park, joy for Zizwe

Mark Ward

Ocean View played host to arguably one of the most talked-about matches in recent Cape club soccer history.

While Zizwe United’s supporters celebrated wildly following their 2-1 victory in the replay final of the Western Cape ABC Motsepe League, Hanover Park FC chairman, Rieduwaan Anthony, sat in his camping chair on the sideline at the Ocean View sportsground on Sunday, staring into the heavens as referee Abongile Tom’s final whistle to signalled an end to his beloved club’s hopes of competing for a place in the National First Division (NFD).

For Anthony, it was not the defeat courtesy of two penalties (Relebohele Matima) on either side of the break, nor the R200 000 legal fees he was forced to fork out in his bid to stay out of court. However, it was the hopes and dreams of some of his young, talented footballers dashed in front of his eyes, as they were denied an opportunity to compete at the national play-offs for a possible place in the National First  Division (NFD).   

More so, Anthony and co had nothing to do with the saga ahead of the second final, in which Zizwe lodged an appeal or “complaint” over who should have appointed the match officials of a match which they had won fair and square, albeit on penalties, in the first final in Stellenbosch three weeks ago.

As painful as the arbitrator’s ruling was, Anthony accepted the outcome which was handed down only on Wednesday.   What hurts more and is even embarrassing, he said, is the fact that his club undertook a ticker-tape parade through the streets of his home base suburb, ending with a celebration party at the Downberg sportsground following their victory in the first final.

“This is football," he said. "First and foremost, I'm super proud of the players and our spectators who accepted the outcomes. Our players bravely fought the battle. I maintain we did absolutely nothing wrong and got punished. This is the reality of our football set-up, which we must all fortunately or unfortunately live with; it's cruel and brutal. I have consulted with my legal team and we have accepted the outcomes. Now we move on," he said.

"What is painful is that we had so many plans and hopes for these youngsters to enter the professional sphere. We will, however, continue to assist our young player to aspire for higher honours,” said Anthony.

Zizwe’s coach, Msekeu Mvalo, said that while off-the-field issues were not conducive, they were nevertheless delighted to have emerged victorious. “I guess now the hard work starts. But spare a thought for Hanover Park, who played extremely well. I thought we took our chances,” Mvalo said.